O/T Brighton is becoming the gov' offical law test center

[REDLAND]

Smoking could be banned in all enclosed public places in Brighton and Hove after calls to introduce tough American-style restrictions.

The city's primary care trust (PCT) wants to introduce measures in a bid to curb illnesses caused by passive inhalation.

Across the Atlantic in places such as New York, there are harsh penalties for smoking in pubs, restaurants and precincts.

Earlier this month Chief Medical Officer for England and Wales Sir Liam Donaldson called for the Government to adopt similar measures.

His feelings have now been echoed by Terry Blair-Stevens, healthy city manager at Brighton and Hove PCT, who believes the issue should be treated as a health priority.

Smoking is the major cause of chronic heart disease, cancer and strokes and passive inhalation has been linked to serious problems.

Mr Blair-Stevens said: "There is a national and international debate recognising the significant risks to health through passive smoking.

"What we want is a local debate about how we could be more proactive in preventing harm to people in public spaces in Brighton and Hove.

"Our main target is to stop smoking in all enclosed public spaces such as pubs, clubs and shopping centres but we are not trying to bring in prohibition."

There is already strong support on a political level in Sussex to outlaw smoking in certain places.

When Labour backbencher Gareth Thomas introduced the Smoking (Restaurants) Bill to Parliament earlier this year, which would make it illegal to smoke in any public place where food is served, Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley and Hastings MP Michael Foster voted in favour.

However, Mr Blair-Stevens wants any legislation to be much tougher on smokers, believing the strict fines introduced in New York should be adopted here.

He said: "The health argument clearly demonstrates it is for everyone's benefit we should have smoke-free public places."

"In terms of health benefits and from a public health perspective, a New York style ban is what we would be in favour of."

Mr Blair-Stevens admits calling for a total ban on smokers would only work if it was supported by most people living in the city.

He added: "Because this is a controversial issue, we need to be careful how we have the debate as it involves issues over freedom of choice and economic implications.

"There is no point pushing through an agenda unless we believe it could make a change."

The PCT will discuss the issue with Brighton and Hove's City Health Partnership on Tuesday.

The partnership comprises academics, councillors, health professionals and voluntary groups.

A spokeswoman for the city council said it had no plans to outlaw smoking but would listen to the PCT's views.

 

[CHAPPERS]

That'll never happen in Brighton. The places that do ban smoking will be empty in this town especially.

 

[Mental Lental]

LOL! I'd like to try and see them enforce that law.

Strange logic,

"We want to trial a new law banning smoking in pubs, where shall we trial this?!

"I know how about Brighton, which has just about the largest pub/area ratio in the country."

Now I don't smoke but I have one thing to say to people who think they can infringe on peoples civil liberties like this......

f*** OFF!!!!!

 

[REDLAND]

if the government puts a USA style blanket ban then all place will have to impose the ban.

 

[FatboyTim]

Playing devil's advocate here, but what about the rights of those who want ot go out in public and not be exposed to toxic smoke....

 

[Highfields Seagull]

To be fair (reading the article), neither the Government nor the Council are planning to introduce this in Brighton. It is merely an idea being floated by the Brighton & Hove City PCT.

 

[JEM]

Bonfire night to be banned next, then. This country is turning into Nazi f***ing Germany.

 

[Juan Albion]

Smoking is banned in public places here. Now it is enforced, it is a completely non-issue. Beforehand there were lots of scare stories about business going elsewhere, but it never happened. In fact, business in many places is up, since all those who were sick of being forced to inhale secondhand smoke started going out again.

The big thing, though, was the health of people who could only get jobs in those places. Fewer will be dying of lung cancer now.

 

[Curious Orange]

There really should be a middle ground. In fact there is, most restaurants and pubs provide substantial non-smoking sections. Beer and ciggies go too well together to be outlawed.

It is also wrong to suggest that the slightest whiff of smoke will give you cancer. It won't. You need to have a substantial intake of cigarettes over many years in order to significantly reduce your life expectancy.

 

[Juan Albion]

It is also wrong to suggest that the slightest whiff of smoke will give you cancer. It won't. You need to have a substantial intake of cigarettes over many years in order to significantly reduce your life expectancy. [/B]

Like employees...

 

[Curious Orange]

Like employees...

Most offices provide smoking rooms, which is a perfectly acceptable solution to the problem.

The real concern is of course pubs. Passive smoking is a grey area, however what is certain is that most of the crap in ciggies ends up in the lungs of the person doing the smoking. As for employees in pubs, you need to ask several questions; how often are pubs full? how often are they smoke filled? how many days per week does the employee work? how many years will they work in that environment? I'm not an expert on the industry but it seems to me that most people who work behind bars work part time and only do so for a couple of years - not enough to significantly impact their life expectancy.

 

[Mr Popkins]

LOL! I'd like to try and see them enforce that law.


Now I don't smoke but I have one thing to say to people who think they can infringe on peoples civil liberties like this......

f*** OFF!!!!!

what about my civil libertiy not to breath in other peoples smoke!?

what I have always objected to is - say for example you are standing in a bus que and someone lights a fag, you are then subjected to passive smoke, you cant move away as you will lose your place in the que and you cant tell the person to put it out as under current law you have no right to.

I would like to see smoking banned in all public places but find it acceptable to smoke in pubs.

resturants are a different matter a the smoking section is usally just beyone a board saying smoking section, you cant stop it drifting into the non-smokers!

 

[Curious Orange]

what about my civil libertiy not to breath in other peoples smoke!?

what I have always objected to is - say for example you are standing in a bus que and someone lights a fag, you are then subjected to passive smoke, you cant move away as you will lose your place in the que and you cant tell the person to put it out as under current law you have no right to.

I would like to see smoking banned in all public places but find it acceptable to smoke in pubs.

resturants are a different matter a the smoking section is usally just beyone a board saying smoking section, you cant stop it drifting into the non-smokers!

I'm not keen on smoking in restaurants either as I find that the smell interferes with the smell of the food, and thus the taste.

I don't have a problem with smoking on the street though, although I wish councils would provide ash trays.

 

[Eddie the Seagull]

Just a bit of common sense required & "....everybody's 'appy......."

 

[Curious Orange]

Of course it is actually highly unlikely that such a ban would ever be considered, as the Government is unlikely to want to impact quite a profitable revenue stream.

Also, establishments that want to ban smoking on their premises can, and do. The important thing is that it was their own choice to make that decision.

 

[Dave the OAP]

I totally agree with this.



If you want to smoke, and kill yourself then go and do it in the comfort of your own home,


I was in Orsino's the other day with the lovelly wife and we sat down and ordered our meal. The meal came and as soon as the food was placed on the table, these inconsiderate wankers at the next table lit up. the windows were open and the smoke was blowing all over our food and face etc etc. How inconsiderate can these people get. I made it very clear that this was unacceptable and was made to feel like it was me in the wrong asking for them to wait at least until we had eaten.

Pubs on the other hand are a different kettle of fish. I have no problem with people smoking in pubs as the eating areas tend to be away from the main bar. this is good.

Smokers, you are parasites.feck off

 

[Dunkstar]

I don't smoke and i don't enjoy breathing it in but there is a solution!
DONT GO NEAR PEOPLE WHO SMOKE WHILE THEY ARE SMOKIN!!!